Oregon Wildland Urban Interface Property Owners Will Have 60 Days to Lodge Appeals

By Lucille McNamara On Nov 8, 2024

Oregonians who own property in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones will soon receive notifications about precautionary measures from the Department of Forestry (ODF). They will then be given 60 days to lodge appeals.

The ODF began formulating a wildfire hazard map in March and had planned to send notifications to all property owners identified within the WUI at the beginning of October.

WUI Process Was Delayed by 2,000 Plus Comments from the Public

However, the process was delayed after the ODF received over 2,000 comments from the public about the draft wildfire hazard map, says Derek Gasperini, the ODF’s communications manager.

Gasperini says the original draft wildfire map had to be changed to incorporate common criticism themes by property owners in the WUI.

WUI Zones are Areas Where Urban Development Overlaps Wildland

The wildfire urban interface is defined as an area where urban development overlaps with wildland or vegetative fuels. Living in the WUI is allied with significant wildfire risks that can start from various sources – escaped debris burning, discarded cigarettes, unattended campfires, and natural events like lightning.

A wildfire hazard map was mandated in 2023 by Senate Bill 80 to pinpoint taxable lots within high-hazard zones and to address the risk and potential intensity of wildfires in WUI areas.

Owners of these properties will receive letters from the ODF outlining measures to protect their homes and communities from wildfire. All notifications should reach property owners within about a fortnight.

Gasperini says another reason for the delayed notifications is the administrative challenges faced by the ODF with sending bulky 12-page packets of certified mail to 100,000 residents.

The packets include information about draft codes that explain what steps property owners need to take to reduce fire hazards. These include using fire-resistant building materials, and the necessity to maintain a buffer between structures and vegetation.

Gasperini assures affected property owners that punitive measures for failing to harden properties will not be implemented immediately.

He explains that the new map has been adjusted to help residents understand the differences between high, moderate, and low wildfire hazard levels.

He says the ODF is aware that property owners face financial implications with the implementation of fire hazard precautions. However, Gasperini assures that property owners complying with fire-hardening regulations will not be required to make further improvements to their homes.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal and Building Codes Division must give final approval to the revised wildfire codes once the final version of the fire hazard map is released.

Once in receipt of the 12-page package from the ODF, residents will have 60 days to lodge appeals. The final version of the fire hazard map will be released after that period.

Gasperini says the appeals process will be conducted remotely.